Rescuers free woman wedged between 2 buildings

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland firefighters used an air bag to spread walls to free an Oregon woman who fell part of the way down a 20-foot wall and got herself stuck between two buildings.

The woman spent about four hours in a space 8 to 10 inches wide Wednesday morning. In addition to the air bag, rescuers also cut a hole and used a soapy substance to lubricate the concrete block walls.

After the woman emerged at 7:30 a.m., she raised her face, clenched her fists and shouted, "Oh, my God."

Witnesses told TV stations she had been seen smoking or walking on the roof of a two-story building before she fell.

Authorities didn't immediately name the woman.

Original story

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Firefighters in downtown Portland, Ore., are cutting through a parking garage wall to rescue a woman who somehow got wedged between two buildings.

Lt. Damon Simmons says they were called at 3:46 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a person trapped.

He says she fell partially down a 20-foot wall and stuck three or four feet off the ground.

Rescuers are breaking through concrete blocks, but going very slowly for safety. By 7 a.m. they had two window-size holes on either side of the woman and were using a heater to keep her warm. She's conscious and talking with rescuers.

Simmons did not have information on how the woman fell. Witness told TV stations she had been seen smoking or walking on the roof of a two-story building.

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